Pope Francis: ‘I keep dreaming of a new European humanism’

In a message to a European bishops’ meeting in Sarajevo, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of the works of mercy.

“To contribute to the rebirth of Europe, the Church, as a caring mother, strives to reach out with love to the wounds of humanity to heal them with the balm of divine mercy,” the Pope wrote in his message, which was dated August 25 but published weeks later.

“I keep dreaming of a new European humanism, which needs for memory, courage, and a healthy and human utopia,” he continued in his message, as translated by the Council of European Catholic Bishops’ Conferences. “In this pathway of humanization Europe, the cradle of rights and civilization, is called not so much to defend its spaces, but rather to be a process-generating mother, a fertile mother, because it respects life and offers real hope of life.”

2 comments on “Pope Francis: ‘I keep dreaming of a new European humanism’”

This is going to confuse people with the equivocation of different meanings for the word “humanism” and his use of “utopia” which will also be confusing. He needs to stop dreaming. Europe is not going to be any kind of “utopia” with its current demographic shifts. He should be able to understand that.